Thunder 92 - 98 Clippers
Final
  for this game

Gordon, Griffin lead Clippers over Thunder

Apr 3, 2011 - 5:45 AM Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Eric Gordon scored 18 points, including a go-ahead three-pointer in the final minute, as the Clippers upended the Thunder, 98-92, at Staples Center.

Blake Griffin posted 26 points and 16 rebounds, while DeAndre Jordan added 12 and 10 for the Clippers, who had lost three of four coming in.

Kevin Durant netted 23 points for Oklahoma City, which lost to Portland on Friday and has dropped back-to-back games for the first time since losing three in a row to end February's schedule.

"We gave up 61 points in the second half. That's not acceptable," Thunder head coach Scott Brooks said.

Russell Westbrook had a rare off night, shooting just 1-for-12 from the floor to finish with nine points to go with eight assists before fouling out.

There were seven ties and 11 lead changes in the final quarter, the last coming when Gordon spotted up from the left wing and drained a three-pointer over Thabo Sefolosha for a 95-92 lead with 43.2 seconds remaining.

Randy Foye then picked off a Westbrook pass and was fouled on the fastbreak. He made both free throws, and James Harden's errant three at the other end essentially sealed the surprising outcome.

"It feels great," Griffin said of the win. "We stepped it up defensively and were aggressive offensively."

The Thunder scored 11 straight points in the early stages of the game and took a 22-15 lead into the second quarter, when they led by as many as 16.

Daequan Cook's three-pointer four minutes in made it a 35-19 game, and the margin at halftime was 49-37.

The Clippers came alive in the third and scored 10 consecutive points to get within 57-55 on Griffin's jumper near the midway point.

Gordon's three-pointer in the final minute gave LA its first lead, 68-67, but Harden's alley-oop slam and an Eric Maynor jumper gave Oklahoma City a three- point lead with 12 minutes remaining.

Game Notes

Oklahoma City, currently fourth in the Western Conference standings, next plays on Tuesday against Denver, which trails the Thunder by 3 1/2 games for the Northwest Division lead...The Clippers eclipsed last season's win total with their 30th victory...Harden had 14 points on 3-of-11 shooting...Craig Smith came off the bench and contributed 14 points for LA.






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